Top 5 Female NXT Superstars Of 2019

#3 Io Shirai

The Genius of the Sky morphed into the Joshi Judas

The Genius of the Sky may not have picked up any gold in 2019, but she definitely went through an evolution that kept her at the top of everyone's list this year. The Sky Pirates were formed shortly into the year, leading to multiple title shots for both Io Shirai and Kairi Sane.

However, neither were able to knock off the champion, partly due to the constant interference by Marina Shafir and Jessamyn Duke. And when Sane was brought up to the main roster, it left Shirai with little back up to call on. Thankfully, she formed a relationship with Candice LeRae, another competitor who'd been wronged by Baszler and her cronies throughout the year.

Finally, a steel cage match between Shirai and Baszler saw her snap. Though Candice LeRae did her best to keep Shafir and Duke away from the ring, Shirai failed to capture the NXT Women's Championship. Hanging on the edge of the ring, Baszler's arms around her throat in the Kirifuda Clutch, Shirai used the cage door to knock Baszler out.

Unfortunately, the Queen of Spades fell forward, landing on the floor, retaining the title despite essentially losing the fight. This was enough for Shirai to lose control. LeRae attempted to comfort her, which led to a heel turn from Shirai.

Now dubbed the "Joshi Judas," Shirai went after everyone in her path with a newfound psychotic energy that made her one of the most dangerous competitors in NXT.

"There is no human being worthy of standing next to Io Shirai."

There is a fine line between intelligence and madness, so watching the Genius of the Sky isolate herself from everyone and indulging in her insanity somehow felt...right? Looking back, there were clear signs throughout her NXT run that there was something darker on the inside. We got a real glimpse of that at NXT TakeOver: XXV when she lost control for the first time.

Since donning her "Scary Mask," Shirai has picked up impressive wins against Santana Garrett, Candice LeRae, and Mia Yim, one of which being a brutal ladder match against the HBIC to give her team the advantage at WarGames.

With the one woman she couldn't beat, Shayna Baszler, out of the title picture, one has to wonder what 2020 has in store for Io Shirai.